Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 00:36:32 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: front brakes
In-Reply-To: <4FCD5BB6.9080400@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
If the brakes are working properly and you have good pads/shoes, even in
stock form you should be able to lock them up. Past that you don't get much
more. Especially if using those skinny OEM tires. For a low cost brake
upgrade get the spindles/brakes off an 86+ and bolt them on. This brings you
from a 13mm to 15mm thick rotor and pads with more surface area. A good pad
like the Axis metal masters or original equipment work quite well. For the
rears finding really good shoes is difficult, especially now that the OEM
ones are no longer available. Check the archives for my past comments on
setting up the rear brakes. Having them work properly is real important.
As for upgrades, the common big brake kits do work well and make a
difference especially the pedal feel. Good tires, brakes, and suspension
make the vehicle. As for tires I am getting addicted to the 225/55-17s
especially on the automatics. The reduction in rolling resistance is
obvious.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Rocket J Squirrel
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 9:07 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: front brakes
On 06/04/2012 04:39 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Driving a vehicle in hilly territory requires some skill. While brake
> upgrades and such buy some time or capacity any downhill application
> of the brakes for an extended period will become a problem.
[description of techniques snipped for brevity]
I do do what is suggested, such as downshifting my auto trans to hold back
my speed, etc. I have never smelt hot brakes, not sure if this vehicle's
brakes stink up the joint when when overheat so that might not mean much;
but after hearing so much about how wimpy the stock '84 brakes are, how
swell the Big Brakes are, &c., &c., a fellow starts to wonder if this isn't
something he should look into before he plunges off the road to certain
death and becomes a headline.
So my question is: will DOT4 brake fluid and attentive use of engine drag
via downshifting pretty much make bigger brakes a non-issue?
If the answer is "yes," then I've saved money for something more
interesting.
--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.
